Joint for concrete pavements and the like



Feb. 9, 1937. Q QLDER` "2,069,899

JOINT FOR CONCRETE PAVEMENTS AND THE LFKE original File@ sept. 26, 1931 fg. 1. f, O 156. D .r i L -z EZ. @xww v ,V Y g v f f 705V '110 55107 109 102 a4 a; 5&9 az l 90 95 #9532 Patented Feb. 9, 193A?- UNITED STATES JoIN'r ron coNcaE THE TE PAVEMENTS AND LIKE Cliord 01de?, Wilmettg lll.

Original application Se ptembel' 2B, 1931, Serial Divided and this application January 6, 1934, Serial No. 705,578

s claims.

The present application is a divisional application of my parent application, Serial No. 565,229,

' iiled September 26, 1931, on Expansion joints for concrete pavements and the like, and is particularly concerned with the modifications of the expansion joints which are arranged .for initial contraction of the adjacent concrete, rather than initial expansion, although the joints are also adapted to take care oi' expansion which occurs subsequentlyto the initial contraction.

In view of the fact that expansion joints, as they are called in the trade, also permit contraction; and "contraction joints," so-called, also permit expansion after their initial contraction; and the fact that the features of this invention may be used in either the so-called contraction or expansion joints, I use'the terms expansion joints and contraction joints synonymously to cover either one, except where the context, functions, or structures indicate a distinction.

.In the expansion joints of the prior art, the cracks appearing between the sections of pavement are ordinarily iilled with a plastic or semiplastic material, such asv asphalt or tar. When such joints close, due to the expansion of the adjacent concrete sections, all, or nearly all, of the plastic material is forced out at the top of the joint, since it is prevented from being forced out below the concrete by the presence of the subgrade material. The plastic material which is forced out at the top of the joint forms, at least temporarily, ridges of material across the pavement, which are struckV by the wheels of the passing vehicles, causing an impact blow to fall upon the adjacent concrete slabs.

Ultimately, the ridges of semi-plastic material may be flattened out by traiiic, but in the meantime the pavement may be seriously damaged. If the plastic ller is soft enough so that it will ilatten out immediately under traic, it will also `ilow sidewise due to the crown of the pavement, and leave the center only partially iilled, and the y, surplus ows over the surface of the pavement,

forming unsightly pools.

It is also desirable that an expansion jointshould permit widening of the joint or crack from its initial position and rewidening from any predetermined position, 'in order Vto take care of expansion in the summer and contraction ci the concrete pavement sections in the winter. When a joint is illed with such plastic material, it cannot fulll these functions, because the material which is forced out by the closing of the expansion joint crack is attenedout, and the joint must be reiilled with plastic every time it opens,

which is aV nightly occurrence, if the joint is to be kept free from sand and other material.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved expansion joint, in which no plastic or compressible ller is required.

Another object is the provision of an improved expansion joint which is capable of permitting either expansion or contraction of the concrete sections, and permitting a substantial widening or closing of the crack'or space between the sections without exposing any opening into which soil or other foreign material may =enter and interfere with future eiective operation of the joint.

Another object is the provision of an improved expansion joint construction, by means of which each section of concrete is supported and reinforced by the adjacent sections so as to eliminate the undue strains which would otherwise be imposed upon the concrete sections at their edges.

Another object is the provision of an improved sliding construction for an expansion joint, which is adapted to automatically maintain itself in clean and operative condition by virtue of its own operation, and which positively precludes the entrance of any dirt or foreign material between the adjacent sections of concrete.

Another object is the provision of an improved expansion joint assembly which is adapted to maintain the adjacent concrete sections in horizontal alignment to eliminate any possibility of one section settling below the other, or producing any bump or irregularity 'in the pavement at the joint.

'Another object is the provision of an improved n expansion joint assembly which may be manufactured outv of standard structural shapes and plates, or which lends itself readily to manuiacl ture out rof sheet metal, so that the metallic membersmay be manufactured at a low cost.

Another object is the provision of an improved method of constructing expansion joints by means of which a good bond is assured between the parts of the expansion joint and the concrete section, and the shrinking away of the concrete section from the expansion joint during the drying of the concrete is eliminated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and from the accompanying drawing, in which similarv characters .of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the single sheet of drawings accompanying this specitlcation,

li'lg. l is a vertical sectional view through 'a concrete pavement equipped l.with a simplified form of fitting adapted to be used'as a. contraction joint; Fig'. 2 is a side elevational view oi' the'fastening clip used in Fig. 1, withthe tie bar in section on the plane ofthe .line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a view similar rto Fig. 1 of another'and more' simple form of contraction joint;

`of Fig. 3, with the parts in thepositlon which they assume when the concrete sections have contracted; j

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l of. the same expansion joint, the section being taken on a plane corresponding to the line I-I of Fig. 6;

Pig. 6 is a side elevational view -oi' thentting employed in Fig. 5;

Fig. 'I is a horizontal sectional view taken through the ends of two adjacent fittings of the .type shown in Fig. 6, for the purpose of illustrating the mode of joining sections of the fittings Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the bottom of an expansion joint,.taken from the parent application. for the purpose of illustrating the application of the invention toanother embodiment, such as an expansion joint.

I'he embodiment which has been chosen to illustrate the invention consists oi', the concrete pavement, such as a roadway. the cross section of which, longitudinally of the road or transversely to the road, may be substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

The present contraction joints may be located as often as desired. and a plurality of contraction Joints are usually located at regularly spaced intervals between theexpansion joints which are employed at greater intervals or greater distances from each other.` AThe fittings which are employed to make the present expansion joint units are preferably built up of standard angle iron members and metal plates in order to con- 4 struct the devices most economically and to pro-A vide for the closing of apertures which are left, by striking out anchoring formations and attach- .ing anles. In some embodiments oi .the invention. however, the ttings may be made up of sheet metal, such as steel, which is stamped or bent to the configuration shown in Fig. l. The angle irons are .preferably made of rustresisting or stainless steel, soas to eliminate any possibility of the joints sticking or becoming rusted together.

"55' Itshouldbeunderstoodthatalloftheadvantageous features described herein need not be employed in every embodiment of the invention,

but any of the features described in the various pedestrian tratllc, or islands of safety.

In the installations of FissfI and 4, the adja- 'cent sections of concrete Il, I2 have their upper edgesorcorners protectedby thentting II. The

7s iitting II preferably comprises a' metal member Fig. 4 is a view of the same contraction joint pavement, or for marking the transverse lanes `oi' substantially T-shape in cross-section. having.

a pair of horisontally extending flanges II, II, and a vertically extending ange II. The vertically extending ilange II has a plurality of 'lugs Il struck out of the body oi.' the flange and extending in a horizontal direction into the body of one concrete section I2 for the purpose of anchoring the fitting to one section.

The mung u is pressed into the concrete wnne slide with respect to the surface II of the section Y Il, and to prevent foreign 'material from entering the top oi.' the crack II. Fig. 4 illustrates the position of the parts when some contraction has taken place in the adjacent sections of 'concrete II, I2. It will be noted that the present contraction joint enables the section Il to support the section I2 in a vertical piane, but it does not enable the section I2 to extend any support to the section Il, and it does not positively prevent all relative vertical movement between thetwo sections.

ReferringtoFig.5,thisisasimilar viewof another modification in which fittings II have been utilised on both the top and the bottom of the concrete. The vertical nanges' II are joined by a multiplicity of relatively narrow metal plates II, I2, II, which are secured to the flanges by spot welds or rivets Il. In this embodiment,

the tting seals the crack both at the bottom and the top of the concrete, and prevents vrelative vertical movement between the two adjacent sections, but the sliding movement takes place between themetaliltting and the concrete surfaces II of the adjacent section. y It is not necessary to use continuous plates for initial contraction.A The space II between the metal straps II-II may be filled with concrete, a*

but a crack appears at these points by reason of the weakening which is produced in the concrete by the vertical anges I6 and straps I I-II.

It is also possible to make the nttings of Figs. 5 and 6 in relatively short sections, and to secure them together by asliding fit. For this purpose,

the strap II has its left edge II projecting beyond `the end of the ttings II to serve as a male joint member. The metal strap II is provided with an the thickness of a strap Il.

The end II 0f the ttin at thei'ight of Fig. I

will then ilt into the crack II in the iltting at the left ot Fig. 'I between the anges II and II, there- .by joining these sections III and III together which is provided with a pair of downwardly extending points III, III. The, points III, III

may be driven into the groundadjacent the deaired location for a contraction joint or aftramc marker, and a place will be easily found for driving these points in spite of the presence of stones or other difficulties, for the reason that it is not necessary to locate the member |02A at any exact point. The member |02 need only be located approximately near the location of the desired trafi'lc marker or contraction joint, for the reason that the fitting is adjustably mounted on the member |02.v

The fitting illustrated in Fig. 1 for the contraction joint may be substantially as shown in Fig. 5, in which case it will be provided with the intermediate spaces 95 of Fig. 6 between the straps 9|, 92, 93. -The clip |05 comprises a strip of metal having a slot |00, |01 in each end for slldably re-` ceiving the vertical anges 56 of the ttngs 83. At one or both sides, the clip |05 is provided with a laterally projectingportion having a pair oi resilient lingers |00, |09 adapted to be bent about the rod |02. The fingers |08, |09 may either be resilient for engaging the rod |02 resillentiy, or they may be clamped about the rod |02 by pressing theiingers together about the rod.

It will be evident thatwhen the clip |05 and tie bar |02 are assembled together, the clip |05 may be rotated to the dotted line position of Fig. 2 and inserted in any of the spaces 95 in the contraction joint iitting. The clip is then rotated to a vertical position, as shown in full lines in will permit the sliding of the clip on the tie bar Fig. 2, the flanges 8G engaging in slots |08, |01.

The contraction joint fitting may then be located in any desired position, since the fingers |08, |09

|02. The tie bar |02 also serves to prevent relative vertical movement between the two sections of concrete 82.

In some embodiments of the invention, such as, for instance, where the ttlng is used for a traffic marker, the complete tie bar is not required, and the member |02 may be cut oif at the point 0, only half a tie bar being used for providing an adjustable support.

Referring to Fig. 8, this is a fragmentary view of the bottom of an expansion joint embodying my invention, taken from the parent application. In this embodiment, 83 indicates a lower upper load transmitting member made of an angle iron, and acting in the same way as those previously described. The angle iron has the vertical flange 00, which is disposed at the crack between the concrete sections 0 02, and it has the horizontal flange 84 extending in the same direction as an engaging surface on the opposite concrete section 8|. The load transmitting member 03 is anchored in the concrete section 02 by anchoring lugs 01, and therefore it acts in the same way as the embodiment described in Figs. 1 7, except that the joint of Fig. 8 is adapted for initial expansion, and may be termed an expansion joint. It differs in that an additional angle iron 20 is used on the adjacent lower corner of the concrete section 8|. This additional angle iron 26 has anchoring 'lugs 43, a vertical flange 21, and a horizontal flange Its vertical flange 21 is spaced from the vertical iiange 06 on the angle iron 03, thereby leaving an expansion space 22. In this case the engaging surface on the concrete section 0|,

which is engaged by the flange 84 of angle iron 83, is the bottom of the flange 5|. `It will be seen that the action of the load transmitting inember 8.3 is exactly the same except vthat it is adapted to slide more readily, due to the fact that the surface of the concrete is covered with metal 5| at the point of sliding engagement.

.The pin 5l merely holds the parts of such e.

jointv together as a unit when the joint is being installed, and after the concrete is hard, the pin is withdrawn, forcing its bent end to straighten out.

It is further requested that an additional gure, Fig. 8, be added to the drawing of this application, by the draftsman. as shown in the attached sketch in red ink on a photoprint of the drawing, which also shows its location at the bottom. Approval by the examiner of the attached draftsman's letter with the sketch is solicited.

It will thus be observed that the ypresent invention is capable of being embodied in a number of more simple forms of construction, and while these simpler forms of construction do not have all of the advantages of the preferred form of embodiment, they are capable of performing new and useful results and do not require the use of any semi-plastic filler.

It will thus be observed that in the contraction joint proposed it is not necessary to use any plastic or so-called compressible filler. The joint may either widen or close, after initial contraction of the concrete, a substantial predetermined amount without exposing any opening into which soil or other foreign material may enter to prevent the future functioning of the joint.

'Ihe overlapping, sliding steel members which prevent the entry of soil are so tightly fitted together in construction, and are designed of such strength that no relative vertical movement can .take place between the adjacent slabs. A vertical force exerted upon one slab is immediately transmitted to the adjacent slab, and thus both concrete sections serve immediately to support a load that may come upon one slab only. The elimination of the causes of impact atr the joints, and the provision for material support by the adjacent sections effects an economy in the design of the whole pavement, since it is not necessary to make the slabs as thick as would otherwise be necessary.

The present contraction joint permits the use of standard structural shapes and plates or members which are made entirely of sheet metal. The complete contraction joint unit is capablev of being constructed as a unit in the factory and capable of being handled or shipped in a single piece like a box girder. The troubles which are caused by the use of rsemi-plastic nllers for contraction joints are entirely eliminated by the present ccntraction joint, and the present device is capable of giving long serviceunder the most adverse conditions without necessity for repair or attention of any kind.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modications may beV made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention. what claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. An expansion joint unit for concrete pavement comprising a pair of metal members of substantially T-shaped cross section, the upper flanges of the Ts being arranged substantially flush with the upper and lower surfaces of .the concrete pavement, .and the vertical ilangeof the T section having a multiplicity of anchoring lugs struck out of said flanges and bent out transversely to the length of said metalmembers. and a plurality of spaced metal plates connected to said vertical flanges at intervals forl maintaining saidmetal membersinspaced relation to each,

the top of the T arranged substantially hush` with the surface oi' the concrete and having vthe i'iange corresponding to the stem of the T arranged at the juncture between the sectionsA of concrete, and a plurality of anchoring formations struck out oi the latter flange and embedded in one of the sections of concrete, whereby said'bar is carried by one of the sections of concrete and slidably engages the upper surface oi the other section of concrete to maintain the two sections in substantial alignment, and a similar bar arranged at the bottom of the concrete and having its anchoring formations secured in the same section, and a plurality of metallic members extending from the ilange of one barto the other bar and iixedly secured to both bars to hold said bars in spaced relation to each other.

` 3. In a concretepavement, the combination of a pair of sections oi concrete located adjacent to each other, with a contraction Joint meni-` in one oi the sections of concrete, whereby said -bar is carried'by one of the sections of concrete and slidably the upper .surface of the other section of concrete tomaintain the two tending points driven into the sub-soil.

4.- In a concrete pavement or the like, 'the com. binationoiapairofadjacentsectionsof concrete 'pavement with a metallicjoint connecting device '-astockmetalmemberhavingaver-` ticslly extending flange extending into thecmc reteverticallytoatdistancetoweaken the concrete andproduceacrack'in substantial alignment` with said vertically extending flange,

said metallic member having a horisontallygextending ange at right angles to the vertically extendingV flange'and locatedsubstantiallyilushwiththesurfaceofthe concrete, said horizontally extending ilangeslidf ably onlcpfthe sections oi'concrete pavement and said vertically extending flange having a plurality oi' integral laterally projectingl'ugsprovided with anchoringiormations and extaiding into'and in the other section of concrete pavement. whereby said metallic menberis ihedlysecuredtosaidotbersectlonof concrete pav'anent and slidably engages the firstmentioned section o! concrete pavement to transmit load from said other section to the firstmentioned section of concrete by means oi' said horizontally extending ilange engaging the upper surface of the concrete pavement, another similar metallic member located at the bottom oi the concrete pavement and similarly arranged with respect to said sections of concrete, and a plurality of vertically extending bars secured to said vertically extending flanges and holding said metallic members in` spaced relation to each other, the spacing being substantially equal to the thickness of the concrete.

5. In a concrete pavement or the like, thecom'- bination of a pair oi' adjacent sections of concrete pavement with a metallic joint connecting device comprising a stock metal member having a vertically extending ilange extending into the .concrete vertically to a suiilcient distance to weaken the concrete and produce a crack in substantial alignment with said vertically extending flange, said metallic member having a horimentally extending ilange extending at substantially right angles to the vertically extending flange and locatedv substantially flush with the surface of the concrete, said horizontally extend ing flange slidably engaging one of the sections oi' concrete pavement and said vertically extending flange having a plurality of integral laterally.

projectinglugs provided lwith anchoring formationsY and extending into and embedded in the other section' of concrete pavement. iwhereby said metallic ymember is ilxedly secured |to said other section of concrete pavement and slidably engages the rst-mentioned section of concrete pavement to transmit load from said other section to the iirst-mentioned section of concrete by -means of said horizontally extending flange engaging the upper, surface 'of `tl'ie concrete pavement, another similar metallic member located at the bottom of the concrete pavement and similarly arranged withr to said sections of concrete, and a plurality of vertically extending bars secured to said vertically extending ilanges and holding said metallic members in spaced relation to each other, the spacing being subaantiB-lly equal to the thickness of the concrete, a plurality of double-pointed members driven into the sub-soil for supporting said metallic members, and a clip having slots for engaging said vertical iianges, said clip being removably secured upon said members and said clip being rotatable upon the members.

6. A road joint former comprising bottom and top sealing members, upright supporting bars secured on the bottom sealing member for h aiding th'e top sealing memberinposition, and load on anchoring means on the top'sealing member to hold the same against removal -when embedded in4 concrete and furthermore servingto transmit loads from one concrete road slab to another. s

1. In a joint for-concrete structures, the combination of a pair of adjacent sections of concrete, said sections having a crack formed between them at their juncture with a load transmitting member having a ange extending in the general direction of the crack between the sections and located substantially at said crack, said load transmitting member having integral anchoring lugs formed out of said flange and. having a load transmitting ange extending substantially in the same direction as an engaging sur' face carried by one of the concrete sections, said latter flange being located for sliding engage- .`ment with said engaging surface` carried by said.

concrete section and the anchoring lugs extending oppositely from,l said rst ange and being flxediy embedded in the other concrete section whereby loads on the one concrete section are 5 transmitted through said ange and load transmitting member to the other concrete section to maintain alignment of said sections.

8. In a joint for concrete structures, the combination of a pair of adjacent sectionsvof concrete, said sections having a crack formed between them at their juncture with a load transmitting member having a ange extending in the general direction of the crack between the sections and located substantially at said crack,'said load transmitting member having integral anchoring lugs formed out of said iiange and having a load transmitting fiange extendingjsubstantially in the same direction as an engaging surface carried by one of the concrete sections, said fPatent No. 2,069,899.

sitely from said first ange and being xedly embedded in the other concrete section whereby loads on the one concrete section are transmitted through said flanges and load transmitting member to the other concrete section to maintain alignment of said sections, and a second similar load transmitting member carried by one of said concrete sections and siidably engaging another of said sections to transmit load from one section to another in a direction opposite to the transmission effected by the first mentioned load transmitting member.

9. A road joint former comprising bottom and top sealing members. upright supporting means secured on the bottom sealing member for holding the topsealing member in position, and load transmission anchoring means on one of said sealing memberstoV hold the same against re' moval when embedded in concrete and furthermore serving to transmit loads from one concrete road slab to another.

` CLIFFORD OLDER.

i CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

February 9, 193'?.

CLIFFORD OLDER It is hereby certified .that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction vas followsz- Page 3,

second column, line 5, beginning with the WordsA "It is further requested" strike out allto and including theword and period so1icited. "in line 11; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that vthe same may conform `to the record of the case inthe Patent Office.

.(Seal) ASigned and sealed this th day oi' March, A. D. 1957.

Henryv Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents.

concrete section and the anchoring lugs extending oppositely from*l said rst iiange and being flxedly embedded in the other concrete section whereby loads on the one concrete section are ment with said engaging surface carried by said section and the anchoring lugs extending oppositely from said iirst ange and being xedly embedded in the other concrete section whereby loads on the one concrete section are transmitted through said flanges and load transmitting memcrete road slab to another.

` CLIFFORD OLDER.

' 5 transmitted through said iiange and load transber to the other concrete section to maintain 5 mitting member to the other concrete section alignment of said sections, and a second similar to maintain alignment of said sections. load transmitting member carried by one of 8. In a joint for concrete structures, the comsaid concrete sections and slidably engaging anbination of a pair of adjacent sectionsv of conother of said sections to transmit load from one crete, said sections having a crack formed besection to another in a direction opposite to the 10 tween them at their juncture with a load transtransmission effected by the first mentioned load mitting member having a ange extending in the transmitting member. general direction of the crack between the sec- 9. A road joint former comprising bottom and tions and located substantially at said crack,'said top sealing members. upright supporting means load transmitting member having integral ansecured on the bottom sealing member for hold- 15 choring lugs formed out of said ilange and having ing the topsealing member in position, and load a load transmitting flange extendingjsubstantransmission anchoring meansfon one of said tially in the same direction as an engaging sursealing members toV hold the same against re' face carried by one of the concrete sections, said moval when embedded in concrete and furtherlatter ange being located for sliding engagemore serving to transmit loads from one con-'20 t CERTIFICATE or coRsEcTioN.

Patent No. 2,069,899. Februarye, 195'?.

cLirroRD OLDER.

It is hereby certified .that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction vas followsz- Page 3,

second column, line 5, beginning with the wordeA "It is further requested" strike out allto and including theword and period so1icited. "in line 11; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that vthe same may coni-crm to the record of the case inthe Patent Office. f

Signed and sealed this th day oi' March, A. D. 1957.

Henryv Van Aredale .(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

